Getting an air conditioner system for your home is essential if you want to enjoy fresh air during summer. Today, in the market, you can find a wide variety of appliances that are easy to install and program. If you want to keep your air conditioner for a long time, it is necessary to learn how to fix the most common problems. Below, we will specifically talk about why your AC is making a screeching noise.
In general, AC systems are durable if you properly maintain them. If you forget to regularly check it, then you might start noticing problems with your air quality and increased energy bills. That’s why when your appliance acts up, the first thing you need to do is make sure the issue is not a cause of improper maintenance. To do this, here is a short guide that you can follow.
Maintaining your Air Conditioner
The best part about learning to maintain your AC is that you won’t have to pay for an appointment with an HVAC expert every couple of months. Plus, these are things that will allow your appliance to work more efficiently.
1. Changing the filter
One of the easiest things you can do to maintain your AC is regularly changing the air filter. Depending on the model you have, filters could be washable. To perform this process, you only need to follow some simple instructions that an expert will provide you at the moment of installation. Remember that having a clean filter is crucial if you want to keep dangerous molecules, allergens, and dust from circulating your house.
2. Clean coils
Coils are an important component of your AC since they help the refrigerant absorb all the heat inside your home. As a result, you will have a comfortable environment during summer. With time as it happens with filters, coils can also get dirty. This means your HVAC will have to work extra hard to absorb all the heat. That’s why you need to regularly check them, and make sure they are working properly.
3. Bending fins
The condenser and evaporator of your AC have fins that can bend over time due to a lack of airflow. If this happens, your system won’t function properly. To solve this problem, it will be better to call an HVAC technician.
4. Clogged drain
This is the most common problem that you can find within your system. As you probably know by now, the condensate drain is essential for your air conditioner. Sometimes it can get clogged, and if that is the case, you need to fix it right away. Since this is a process that needs to be done carefully, we will advise you to contact your HVAC provider.
It can happen that after doing complete maintenance of your system, the problem doesn’t disappear. In that case, you will need to keep an eye out for the warning signs the air conditioner is giving you. That’s why, in the next section, we will focus on what is happening if your AC is making a squeaking noise.
AC making noises
One question that many experts get regularly is, “what to do if my air conditioner is making a high-pitched noise?” If you want to tackle the problem, the first thing you need to do is understand what might be causing it.
However, you need to keep in mind that some noises are normal, especially if you are turning on your system after several months of non-operation. Plus, there are even some AC systems that lack noise reduction technology. In that case, the solution would be installing more ductworks to allow the air to travel smoothly.
AC making a screeching noise
Once wintertime is over, you may start hearing a squeaking noise coming from your AC system. This usually happens because your capacitor has been exposed to extremely cold weather for several months. There could be several reasons why your outside AC unit is squealing, and we are going to break them down here.
It is also important to clarify that, “my air conditioner is making a high-pitched squeal vs whistling” are different problems. When your HVAC is whistling, this could be a problem related to lack of airflow, which you can fix by changing the filter or checking for obstruction on the house vents.
The causes that are described below are only applicable if your AC is making a screeching noise.
- Fan belt misaligned
Some older air conditioner systems have a belt that connects the motor and the fan. Sometimes, due to temperature fluctuations, this belt can expand and contract, especially if you live in a place with high humidity levels. This will probably result in your AC making a squeaking noise.
It can also happen that the belt slips or worms out over time. If you want to confirm that this is the problem, hear if your outside AC unit is squealing. In case that is the issue, you will need to call an HVAC expert to replace the belt.
- Bearings replacement
If you have recently purchased a new air conditioner for your home, chances are the model doesn’t have a belt. In that case, the problem could be the bearings that are attached to the condenser fan. With time, this bearing will wear out, producing a squealing noise that you will be able to hear even when the AC is on.
We will recommend not trying to fix this on your own since you could end up damaging the compressor. Instead, call an HVAC expert and tell them your initial assessment. That way they can go to your house prepared and quickly fix the problem.
Conclusion
Even though in this article we have focused on why your AC is making a squeaking noise, there are other common noises that you can encounter. Most of the time, these are warning signs about a specific component. That’s why the best thing you can do is call your provider. Remember that to avoid this situation, you should schedule professional maintenance at least twice a year.
